Preston Grasshopper vs Harrogate

The result inched Harrogate further away from the dreaded drop zone but, unfortunately, condemned Preston to relegation.

Harrogate opened with waves of attacks ending with a forward pass. Jonny Coser won a great turnover from Preston’s driving maul and the ball was recycled to Keane Naylor whose pace and strength gave Harrogate the opening try. Hoppers counter attacked from the restart and a Harrogate late tackle was penalised leading to a home attacking line-out. A driving maul followed and hooker, Matt Beaty’s try was converted by Lewis Allen to put Hoppers ahead. Minutes later Harrogate were penalised for coming in from the side and Allen’s penalty made it 10-5.

Harrogate’s defence was being tested and found wanting at this stage of the game. A well constructed home move led to a converted try for flanker Sam Gale but Harrogate quickly responded with a brilliant individual converted try from David Doherty. He fielded a Hoppers clearance on halfway and danced through despairing attempted tackles to make it 17-12 after 21 minutes.

Another Allen penalty extended the home lead and more Preston pressure followed. Flanker Matt Fring’s try put them further ahead but Harrogate were starting to come more into the match. Winger, Luke Edwards’s break split the home defence but what should have been a scoring pass was “butchered” and Hoppers were 25-12 ahead at the break.

The second half opened with a sustained series of Harrogate attacks. An Oli Rosillo break was well supported by Ben Dixon, Doherty and Fox glided over for a converted try. Harrogate set up another attack from good turnover ball but it was ended with a high tackle which led to Preston’s Alastair Murray being sent to the sin bin. Crucially Harrogate scored 12 vital points during his absence.

A dynamic burst from beardless Sam Brady set up a Harrogate attack and he was in support of the move to score a converted try to put Harrogate 25-26 ahead. Dixon ran strongly from the restart and his try extended Harrogate’s lead. More Harrogate pressure followed and Rosillo’s converted try put them still further ahead.

Preston continued to attack but a Harrogate counter from deep fed Luke Edwards who outpaced the defence for a spectacular 50 metres converted try. The match was then out of sight for Hoppers but they refused to give up and a quickly taken penalty led to Gale’s second try. The successful conversion was followed by the final whistle.

Preston Grasshoppers: Crosley, Browne, Forster, Akrigg, Trueman, Allen, Glynn, Mabaya, Beaty, Altham, Roddy, A Murray, Gale, Frings, Proctor. Subs:- Sloane, Madden, J Edwards, Moulding, M Murray

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Dixon, Wedwards, Fox, Hebblethwaite, Purkiss-McEndoo, Larder, Dennis,
J Brady, S Brady, Harvey, Starkey, J Coser. Subs:- Yorke, Reaveley, G Coser, Rosillo, Wickham

Referee: Mick Harris (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack